Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Gómez is a very skilled playwright in his own right, of course, and it would be great if he could expand his vision. This story could sing, or not. Either way, it has some of the same appeal as Harry Potter: it tells the truth about the dark forces and the hope in the world. Kids know we're not all safe."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Adapted by Isaac Gómez from Erika L. Sánchez's bestselling young adult novel, this Steppenwolf for Young Adults offering (directed by Sandra Marquez) packs a lot of hard truths into its 90-minute running time. Anchored by a breathtakingly vulnerable performance from Karen Rodriguez (an acting muse to Gómez for several years now) as Julia, it's alternately funny and heartbreaking, harsh and compassionate."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...This 110-minute audio-only production is graphic. It is told through the eyes of a highly introspective and philosophical young woman-Julia-who especially loves her high school English class and wants to go to college and become a writer. In fact, she thinks of herself as the black sheep of the family and compares herself to famous characters from novels, like Jane Eyre, Holden Caulfield, and Ponyboy Curtis. But can she find the intestinal fortitude to pursue her dreams? This young woman is torn between two cultures: the mainstream American and the Latinx. Born in this country, her parents are first-generation undocumented migrants from Mexico, who had to adjust to life in Chicago. Her mother cleans houses for a living, and Julia thinks of herself as being "a poor Mexican" as she interacts with the white population at-large. She constantly deals with the contrasts between herself and her fellow Latinx classmates, especially when they deal with matters of sex and sexuality. Throughout the tale, she judges herself against her family's idealistic expectations for her life and her future, and regularly makes choices as to which aspects of her culture to accept and which ones to reject. The first-person narrative and the strong focus on Julia's character development are clearly the desired outcome on the part of co-directors Sandra Marquez and Audrey Francis."
Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended
"...Isaac Gomez adapted Chicago-born and based Erika L. Sanchez's National Book Award finalist bildungsroman for the Steppenwolf for Young Adults program, producing two tight acts of funny, raunchy and tragic teen life in Chicago's working-class neighborhoods. Under Sandra Marquez's revelatory direction, on a simple Chicago-evocative set by Arnel Sancianco, the dynamic cast richly inhabit Julia's narrative."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...Julia may or may not be the perfect Mexican daughter but Karen Rodriguez may be the perfect person to play her. Rodriguez commanded the Steppenwolf stage from the moment the lights came up and did not let go for the next 90 minutes."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...Whether something is sad or funny, Julia leads us through her last years of high school as she journals everything. We hear her thoughts as a voice over and while very frank at times, it was relatable as heard from the audience laughs or gasps of surprise or disbelief. I found the production true to the book. While there were some changes, or things left out, the portrayals of the characters shine. It is Julia’s journey that takes center stage as she finds herself and sets her future into motion. "
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...As of this writing, Steppenwolf for Young Adult’s production of “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” has already been extended once and (if my inside sources can be counted on) will likely be extended a second time. If you were to stop reading this review right now and head to Steppenwolf’s website you would, in all likelihood, encounter a small but unmistakable disclaimer that the entire run has sold out."